Publication Cover
Chronobiology International
The Journal of Biological and Medical Rhythm Research
Volume 39, 2022 - Issue 5
453
Views
0
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

Spectrophotometric properties of commercially available blue blockers across multiple lighting conditions

, , & ORCID Icon
Pages 653-664 | Received 20 Sep 2021, Accepted 16 Dec 2021, Published online: 04 Jan 2022
 

ABSTRACT

Lenses that filter short-wavelength (“blue”) light are commercially marketed to improve sleep and circadian health. Despite their widespread use, minimal data are available regarding their comparative efficacy in curtailing blue light exposure while maintaining visibility. Fifty commercial lenses were evaluated using five light sources: a blue LED array, a computer tablet display, an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent overhead luminaire, and sunlight. Absolute irradiance was measured at baseline and for each lens across the visual spectrum (380–780 nm), which allowed calculation of percent transmission. Transmission specificity was also calculated to determine whether light transmission was predominantly circadian-proficient (455–560 nm) or non-proficient (380–454 nm and 561–780 nm). Lenses were grouped by tint and metrics were compared between groups. Red-tinted lenses exhibited the lowest transmission of circadian-proficient light, while reflective blue lenses had the highest transmission. Orange-tinted lenses transmitted similar circadian-proficient light as red-tinted lenses but transmitted more non-circadian-proficient light, resulting in higher transmission specificity. Orange-tinted lenses had the highest transmission specificity while limiting biologically active light exposure in ordinary lighting conditions. Glasses incorporating these lenses currently have the greatest potential to support circadian sleep-wake rhythms.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by R01DA051321 and R01MD011600.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.